New discoveries by NYU researchers find that impaired regulatory T cells are a key contributor to Sjögren's disease in both mice and humans. Calcium signaling also plays a crucial role in the development of the autoimmune disorder, which affects glands producing saliva and tears.
Researchers found Andean bears prefer to forage in dry season for young, tender bromeliad plants on east-facing slopes of puna grassland. They actively select specific food resources within the grasslands, indicating their nutritional importance, while avoiding areas with livestock.
David D. O’Keefe has been named vice president of research development at Sanford Burnham Prebys, bringing his expertise to nurture a culture of grant writing and collaboration. He will support new assistant professors and advance the institute’s mission by identifying research trends and developing funding strategies.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that high-frequency mechanical vibrations are routed from the body to the inferior colliculus in the midbrain, amplifying sensory experience. This convergence enables organisms to perceive and respond to subtle changes in their environment, critical for survival.
Researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Argentina to determine the origin of syphilis. The study found that syphilis-like infections occurred in the Americas for millennia and supports an American origin for the disease.
Dr. Michael Courtney's team will use advanced phenotyping techniques to assess how SYNGAP1 missense variants impact protein function, focusing on pathogenic or uncertain variants. The project aims to inform therapeutic strategies for patients with SYNGAP1-related disorders through drug repurposing and functional assays.
A new study from the University of Michigan found connections between sleep cycles and circadian rhythm disruptions in relation to moods. The research used Fitbit data from hundreds of medical interns to establish links between aligned and misaligned sleep patterns and real-world measures of mental health.
Researchers identified a group of unusual objects emitting long-duration outbursts of X-rays, which may be caused by binary star systems with white dwarfs and subgiant stars. The discovery of millinovae could provide insights into the astrophysics of Type Ia supernovae.
Research found that infants given milk cereal drinks after six months old experience early rapid weight gain but not higher body mass index or waist-to-height ratio. Early rapid weight gain is predictive of later adiposity, regardless of supplement consumption.
A QUT-led study found that surgeons are slow to adopt newly developed biomaterials or tissue-engineered solutions for treating bone defects. The researchers surveyed 337 surgeons and 99 scientists, revealing a significant gap between their optimism about future advancements and the slow adoption of these innovations in clinical practice.
A Rice University study found that caregiver mental health improves when carers feel supported, understood and appreciated by their loved ones. Carriers who reported lower satisfaction with their marriages experienced significantly worse mental and physical health.
Three Nobel Prize-winners, Ben Feringa, Jennifer Doudna, and Kip Thorne, share their groundbreaking discoveries in molecular-level chemistry, genetics, and gravitational physics. Their articles inspire young readers to pursue STEM careers and explore the latest scientific advancements.
The study found that individuals with accelerated biological ageing had poorer health outcomes, while those with decelerated ageing had weaker links to good health. Metabolomic ageing clocks have the potential to identify early signs of declining health and inform preventative strategies.
Researchers at Cornell University have created mini virtual reality (VR) headsets called MouseGoggles, which allow mice to navigate virtual environments with greater immersion and accuracy. The technology has the potential to reveal insights into spatial navigation and memory function, shedding light on disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers from Wilmot Cancer Institute and University of Rochester Medical Center investigate how social networks influence cancer patients' treatment decisions. They plan to analyze 300 local individuals aged 65+ with advanced cancer, tracking their networks and decision-making processes.
A pioneering study has unlocked precision medicine for breast cancer, providing a detailed roadmap of the disease's molecular evolution. The research enables targeted therapies tailored to individual tumors' molecular fingerprints, elevating survival rates and improving patient outcomes.
A quality improvement project using Lean methodology at UC San Diego Health reduced unnecessary work hours for surgical residents by 10.2%, improving resident well-being and faculty perception of preparedness. The study's framework can be replicated to support other residency programs in optimizing resident and institutional outcomes.
Researchers discovered a novel vulnerability in prostate cancer cells that starves them of critical nutrients called amino acids. By inhibiting two proteins, GCN2 and p53, the team found a way to effectively destroy prostate tumors.
Researchers have identified β-nitrostyrene derivatives as potential quorum sensing inhibitors for biofilm inhibition and antivirulence factor therapeutics against Serratia marcescens. The study found that one compound, m-NPe, reduced biofilm formation by 79% and disrupted biofilm architecture.
Between 2000 and 2022, there was a significant increase in physician union petitions filed and certified. However, the number of petitions increased again in 2023, driven by growing concerns about working conditions, physician autonomy, and voice in management, ultimately affecting patient care quality.
A study of over 26,000 white dwarf stars confirmed that hotter stars are slightly larger due to higher temperatures. This finding brings scientists closer to understanding the effects of extreme gravity and potentially detecting dark matter particles.
Researchers have successfully prepared stable polymeric nitrogen materials at ambient conditions using azides as precursors through a thermal treatment process. The yield is significantly higher than that of polymeric nitrogen materials prepared by high pressure methods, making it a promising technique for scale-up preparation.
Researchers propose a new 'mind-tracking' model of communication, integrating social micro-processes to understand non-literal language. Everyday examples like choosing articles or demonstratives demonstrate the interdependence between language and social cognition.
Researchers at Stanford University have designed a comfortable, flexible knit sleeve that simulates realistic touch using pressure-based haptics. The Haptiknit sleeve provides more accurate tactile feedback than vibration-based devices, allowing for smoother navigation, military communication, and rehabilitation.
Researchers at SISSA used a backward approach to derive the mass of newly formed stars from observations of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. The result is surprisingly similar to that measured in regions closest to us, suggesting a possible universal initial mass function. This discovery will be tested by future telescope observations.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals a significant influence of home food environments on adolescent dietary patterns. Home food availability, particularly fruits and vegetables, promotes healthier eating habits, while neighborhood fast-food options negatively affect dietary quality.
Researchers are studying individuals with a silent mind, known as anauralia, to understand its effects on attention and creativity. The University of Auckland is hosting a global conference to share insights from scientists, philosophers, musicians, and writers.
The network's all-new digital report boasts over $56.1 million in total cost-of-care savings, with $44.6 million in rewards shared among providers. Ochsner Health Network also expands access to care and improves health outcomes through its collaborative partnerships and technological advancements.
Researchers have discovered a mismatched composition of gases in the planet's atmosphere compared to gases within the disk. The study found that the ratio of carbon and oxygen gases in the planet is much lower than expected, suggesting that current models of planet formation may be too simplified.
A recent study by Prof. HAN Wei at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science has shown that low-dose Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) treatment can effectively slow down tumor growth. CAP damages mitochondria, causing oxidative stress and cell death, which prevents tumors from growing.
Researchers used STOC-T to visualize retinal microcirculation in real-time, providing insights into the mechanisms of retinal function. The study offers a groundbreaking opportunity for precise monitoring of hemodynamic changes in the retina, enabling early detection and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new film made from a thorium precursor could replace crystals in atomic clocks, enabling more accurate time measurements. The film requires much less thorium-229 and is about as radioactive as a banana, paving the way for smaller, more portable, and cheaper nuclear clocks.
A study found that surgeons are quicker and more successful at completing a buzz wire game than other hospital staff, with an average completion time of 89 seconds. However, they also exhibited the highest rate of swearing during the task. Nurses showed the highest rates of audible frustration noises.
Researchers are developing targeted therapies to modulate tau phosphorylation, a key driver of neurodegenerative diseases. These therapies aim to decrease microtubule stability and protein aggregation while enhancing neuronal plasticity.
A study on capybaras infected with a rabies variant linked to vampire bats has been published in the journal Veterinary Research Communications. The research found that the viral strain was transmitted by vampire bats, which likely fed on the capybaras' blood during habitat disturbance.
Researchers found that neuroinflammation in the hippocampus significantly alters motivation and behaviour in mice, particularly in females. This study suggests that treatments targeting hippocampal neuroinflammation could help reduce cognitive and behavioural symptoms in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Depression.
Hydrogen diffusion behavior in Al2O3 under high-pressure conditions has been systematically investigated. Researchers found that hydrogen atoms tend to agglomerate into molecules and experience reduced energy barriers in certain phases.
This review summarizes the progress in multimodal large language models, enabling advanced applications like intelligent agents and coding assistants. The training of MLLMs involves three stages: pre-training, instruction-tuning, and alignment tuning, with new techniques addressing hallucinations and human values.
A new UCLA Health study found that adding genetic testing to the evaluation of pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders led to more individualized care, including changes in medication, referrals to clinical trials or specialists, and surveillance for potential medical issues.
A study by Washington State University found that ChatGPT struggles with nuanced financial tasks, even when compared to human professionals. The AI model performed well on broad concepts but showed significant inaccuracy on specialized topics such as determining clients' insurance coverage and tax status.
Research from Radboud University Medical Center shows that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened the immune system's response to microorganisms. The study found that after lockdowns, inflammation levels in the body were low but the immune system reacted more intensely to viruses and bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a new method called variational preference learning, which predicts users' preferences and tailors its outputs accordingly. This approach overcomes the limitations of traditional RLHF, which can lead to averaging user preferences and resulting in incorrect outputs for all users.
A new blood-based biomarker, placental growth factor (PlGF), has been identified as a potential tool for detecting early brain changes associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Elevated PlGF levels were found to be linked to increased vascular permeability, leading to white matter injury and subsequent cognitive decline.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered a previously unreported enzyme that catalyzes the creation of cyclopentachromone-containing compounds. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the development of new pharmaceuticals for treating cancer and inflammation.
A study of 13,571 healthy seniors found no association between antibiotic use and cognitive impairment or dementia. Researchers followed participants for an average of five years and found no link between antibiotics and changes in thinking and memory skills.
A recent study resolves contradictions in the Moon's age and composition. Researchers found that the Moon's crust was melted twice, with the second heating event resetting its geological clock and altering the age of lunar rocks. This discovery sheds light on the Moon's turbulent history and volcanic past.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can lose their flagella to reduce energy consumption and improve survival. The study found that Pseudomonas syringae bacteria evolved to produce more surfactants, allowing them to 'hitchhike' on other bacteria.
A review of 3,000 studies suggests microplastics in the air may cause serious health problems, including colon cancer, poor lung function, and infertility. The tiny plastic particles are believed to contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation, increasing the risk of lung cancer.
A new study found that large language models can provide useful physical exam recommendations and instructions based on patient symptoms. The researchers used GPT-4 to recommend physical exam instructions and evaluated its performance by three attending physicians, scoring at least 80% of the possible points.
A recent study found that connectivity loss within pond networks leads to significant declines in microbial diversity and community evenness. The loss of connectivity disrupts trophic interactions, causing reduced biomass in zooplankton grazers and further exacerbating the decline in diversity.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered a new way to tailor natural killer cells to target leukemia cells, improving their efficacy. The researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to disable an immune checkpoint, allowing the modified cells to attack cancer cells more effectively.
Researchers suggest that traditional fairy tales like Snow White, The Princess and the Pea, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Peter Pan offer opportunities to discuss healthy sleep with children. These stories highlight the importance of optimising environmental conditions and managing stress for better sleep.
Researchers designed a self-assembled material to address energy level mismatches and degradation at Sn-Pb perovskite interfaces, resulting in high-efficiency devices with enhanced stability. The strategy achieved a PCE of 23.45% and improved shelf storage stability.
Scientists create a natural polysaccharide-based edible coating that replaces synthetic packaging, extending shelf life while reducing global food waste. The biofilm shows improved mechanical strength, antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activity, making it an eco-friendly solution to address food waste issues.
A recent study from UBC researchers found that AI chatbots contain biases that can shape environmental discourse in unhelpful ways. The bots amplified existing societal biases and leaned heavily on past experience to propose solutions, largely steering clear of bold responses.
A team of researchers discovered a unique phenomenon, known as the skin effect, in antiferromagnetic materials, where nonlinear optical responses are concentrated on the surfaces. This finding opens exciting opportunities for high-performance device applications and fundamental scientific research.
A surge in intimate partner violence (IPV) was observed among immigrant women in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study reveals how lockdowns, isolation, and language barriers created ideal conditions for abusers to exert control, leaving women trapped and vulnerable.
Researchers found that silver did not reduce overall bacteria in water samples from silver-containing showerheads, but its composition varied with each type of fixture tested. The study suggests that rare microbes in these showerheads could be more prone to forming biofilms in response to the stressful environment.
A new University of Minnesota Medical School study highlights how children ages 4 to 12 interpret common medical phrases, revealing surprising misunderstandings. The research team recommends that healthcare professionals avoid jargon and use developmentally appropriate language to improve child patients' experiences.
Research using novel underwater infrared cameras reveals that artificial light wakes sleeping fish and attracts predators to coral reefs at night, changing community composition. This alteration is concerning as it may be essential for regenerating energy and maintaining fitness in marine life.